Frequency-Dependent Squeezed Vacuum Source for the Advanced Virgo Gravitational-Wave Detector

In this Letter, we present the design and performance of the frequency-dependent squeezed vacuum source that will be used for the broadband quantum noise reduction of the Advanced Virgo Plus gravitational-wave detector in the upcoming observation run. The frequency-dependent squeezed field is generated by a phase rotation of a frequency-independent squeezed state through a 285 m long, high-finesse, near-detuned optical resonator. With about 8.5 dB of generated squeezing, up to 5.6 dB of quantum noise suppression has been measured at high frequency while close to the filter cavity resonance frequency, the intracavity losses limit this value to about 2 dB. Frequency-dependent squeezing is produced with a rotation frequency stability of about 6 Hz rms, which is maintained over the long term. The achieved results fulfill the frequency dependent squeezed vacuum source requirements for Advanced Virgo Plus. With the current squeezing source, considering also the estimated squeezing degradation induced by the interferometer, we expect a reduction of the quantum shot noise and radiation pressure noise of up to 4.5 dB and 2 dB, respectively.

All-optical switching based on inverse Raman scattering in liquid-core optical fibers

We report on a new platform for all-optical switching based on inverse Raman scattering in liquids. Narrowband switching, which could be suitable for wavelength-division-multiplexed applications, is demonstrated using integrated liquid-core optical fiber infiltrated with both neat liquids (CCl(4) and CS(2)) as well as an organic chromophore (β-carotene) dissolved in CCl(4). Compared to standard glass optical fibers, these liquids have much larger Raman loss coefficients, which help reduce the pump power by at least an order of magnitude. Further improvements can be expected with the development of highly soluble organic compounds possessing large Raman cross sections.

Demonstration of Zeno switching through inverse Raman scattering in an optical fiber

We report the observation of Zeno switching through an inverse Raman scattering (IRS) process in an optical fiber. In IRS, light at the anti-Stokes frequency is strongly attenuated in the presence of a pump field, allowing it to be used for all-optical switching and modulation. Our observed level of induced absorption via IRS in the optical fiber is > 20 dB in a time scale of less than 5 ps. The full Raman response spectrum was extracted experimentally and excellent agreement was found between the experimental data and theoretical modeling of IRS.

A unified description of linear and nonlinear polarization in organic polymethine dyes

An internal or external electric field F can drive the chemical structure, bond order alternation, and electronic structure of linear polymethine dyes from a neutral, bond-alternated, polyene-like structure, through a cyanine-like structure, and ultimately to a zwitterionic (charge-separated) bond-alternated structure. As the structure evolves under the influence of F, the linear polarizability alpha, the first hyperpolarizability beta, and the second hyperpolarizability gamma are seen to be derivatives, with respect to F, of their next lower order polarization (for alpha) or polarizability (for beta and gamma). These derivative relations provide a unified picture of the dependence of the polarizability and hyperpolarizabilities on the structure in linear polymethine dyes. In addition, they allow for predictions of structure-property relations of higher order hyperpolarizabilities.

Local production of B lymphocyte stimulator protein and APRIL in arthritic joints of patients with inflammatory arthritis

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether synovial fluid (SF) levels and cell-surface expression of B lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS) protein and SF levels of APRIL are elevated in patients with inflammatory arthritis (IA).

METHODS

Same-day blood and SF samples from 89 patients with 103 knee effusions (81 knees with IA and 22 with noninflammatory arthritis [NIA]) were evaluated for BLyS protein and APRIL levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Blood and SF mononuclear cells were double-stained for surface BLyS protein and surface CD14 (monocyte marker) and were analyzed by flow cytometry. Complete blood cell counts and SF nucleated cell counts were performed by the clinical hematology laboratory.

RESULTS

BLyS protein levels were higher in SF than in corresponding serum samples from both IA and NIA patients. SF BLyS protein levels, but not surface expression of BLyS protein, were disproportionately elevated in IA patients. APRIL levels were higher in SF than in corresponding serum samples from most IA patients but not NIA patients. SF BLyS protein and APRIL levels correlated with each other, and each correlated with SF monocyte, lymphocyte, neutrophil, and total nucleated cell counts. Although SF and serum BLyS protein levels correlated with each other, SF and serum APRIL levels did not, suggesting that SF BLyS protein levels are more dependent upon systemic factors than are SF APRIL levels. Moreover, in 8 patients who underwent sequential arthrocenteses, changes in SF BLyS protein levels did not immutably parallel changes in SF APRIL levels, indicating their differential regulation.

CONCLUSION

BLyS protein and APRIL are locally produced in inflamed joints. Their respective SF levels are differentially regulated, suggesting that they serve different functions. Together, their local production may foster survival and/or expansion of B cells that produce pathogenic autoantibodies and/or promote local T cell activation and consequent joint destruction.

TIP, a T-cell factor identified using high-throughput screening increases survival in a graft-versus-host disease model

A coordinated effort combining bioinformatic tools with high-throughput cell-based screening assays was implemented to identify novel factors involved in T-cell biology. We generated a unique library of cDNAs encoding predicted secreted and transmembrane domain-containing proteins generated by analyzing the Human Genome Sciences cDNA database with a combination of two algorithms that predict signal peptides. Supernatants from mammalian cells transiently transfected with this library were incubated with primary T cells and T-cell lines in several high-throughput assays. Here we describe the discovery of a T cell factor, TIP (T cell immunomodulatory protein), which does not show any homology to proteins with known function. Treatment of primary human and murine T cells with TIP in vitro resulted in the secretion of IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, and IL-10, whereas in vivo TIP had a protective effect in a mouse acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) model. Therefore, combining functional genomics with high-throughput cell-based screening is a valuable and efficient approach to identifying immunomodulatory activities for novel proteins.

TL1A is a TNF-like ligand for DR3 and TR6/DcR3 and functions as a T cell costimulator

DR3 is a death domain-containing receptor that is upregulated during T cell activation and whose overexpression induces apoptosis and NF-kappaB activation in cell lines. Here we show that an endothelial cell-derived TNF-like factor, TL1A, is a ligand for DR3 and decoy receptor TR6/DcR3 and that its expression is inducible by TNF and IL-1alpha. TL1A induces NF-kappaB activation and apoptosis in DR3-expressing cell lines, while TR6-Fc protein antagonizes these signaling events. Interestingly, in T cells, TL1A acts as a costimulator that increases IL-2 responsiveness and secretion of proinflammatory cytokines both in vitro and in vivo. Our data suggest that interaction of TL1A with DR3 promotes T cell expansion during an immune response, whereas TR6 has an opposing effect.

Design of organic molecules with large two-photon absorption cross sections

A strategy for the design of molecules with large two-photon absorption cross sections, delta, was developed, on the basis of the concept that symmetric charge transfer, from the ends of a conjugated system to the middle, or vice versa, upon excitation is correlated to enhanced values of delta. Synthesized bis(styryl)benzene derivatives with donor-pi-donor, donor-acceptor-donor, and acceptor-donor-acceptor structural motifs exhibit exceptionally large values of delta, up to about 400 times that of trans-stilbene. Quantum chemical calculations performed on these molecules indicate that substantial symmetric charge redistribution occurs upon excitation and provide delta values in good agreement with experimental values. The combination of large delta and high fluorescence quantum yield or triplet yield exhibited by molecules developed here offers potential for unprecedented brightness in two-photon fluorescent imaging or enhanced photosensitivity in two-photon sensitization, respectively.

Two-photon absorption and broadband optical limiting with bis-donor stilbenes

Large two-photon absorptivities are reported for symmetrical bis-donor stilbene derivatives with dialkylamino or diphenylamino groups. These molecules exhibit strong optical limiting of nanosecond pulses over a broad spectral range in the visible. Relative to bis(di-n-butylamino)stilbene, bis(diphenylamino)stilbene exhibits a 90-nm red shift of its optical limiting band but only a minimal shift of ~13 nm of its lowest one-photon electronic absorption band. Mixtures of these compounds offer an unprecedented combination of broad optical limiting bandwidth and high linear transparency.

Wound infections following spinal fusion with posterior segmental spinal instrumentation

Twenty-three of 238 patients (9.7%) developed wound infections following segmental spinal instrumentation. When the infected group and a matched control group were compared, the infected group had a significantly higher number of patients with cerebral palsy and myelodysplasia (nonambulatory), patients with wound hematomas, patients with fusions that extended into the sacral region, and patients who were incontinent of urine. A high incidence of infections with gram-negative aerobic bacilli correlated with the extension of the surgery into the sacral region and bowel and/or bladder incontinence. Prophylactic antibiotics with broader coverage for gram-negative bacilli may be warranted for these procedures. Postoperative wound infections were managed by surgical drainage and debridement as well as antibiotics. Removal of the hardware was not necessary to control the infection in these patients who underwent segmental spinal instrumentation.

Implementation of information security and confidentiality policies, procedures, and standards

The article describes one approach to developing and implementing a security program in response to the birth and growth of a computer-based patient record in a large teaching hospital. The discussion emphasizes the importance of the collaborative effort between the hospital and school of medicine in establishing one policy and set of standards because information is shared and electronically transferred between both institutions. The hospital's approach is summarized in five major steps: survey and literature search, development of key components or recommendations, institutional approval of the recommendations, feasibility analysis and projected time frame for implementation, and implementation of the recommendations with resolution of impediments to implementation.

Enhanced reverse saturable absorption and optical limiting in heavy-atom-substituted phthalocyanines

The reverse saturable absorption and the optical-limiting response of metal phthalocyanines can be enhanced by use of the heavy-atom effect. Phthalocyanines containing heavy-metal atoms, such as In, Sn, and Pb, show a nearly factor-of-2 enhancement in the ratio of effective excited-state to ground-state absorption cross sections compared with those containing lighter atoms, such as Al and Si. In an f/8 optical geometry, homogeneous solutions of heavy-metal phthalocyanines, at 30% linear transmission, limit 8-ns 532-nm laser pulses to </=3 microJ (the energy for 50% probability of eye damage) for incident energies as high as 800 microJ.

Large First Hyperpolarizabilities in Push-Pull Polyenes by Tuning of the Bond Length Alternation and Aromaticity

Conjugated organic compounds with 3-phenyl-5-isoxazolone or N,N'-diethylthiobarbituric acid acceptors have large first molecular hyperpolarizabilities (beta) in comparison with compounds with 4-nitrophenyl acceptors. For example, julolidinyl-(CH=CH)(3)-CH=N,N'- diethylthiobarbituric acid, which has 12 atoms between the donor and acceptor, has a beta(0) of 911 x 10(-30) electrostatic units, whereas (CH(3))(2)NC(6)H(4),-(CH=CH)(4)-C(6)H(4)NO(2), with 16 atoms between its donor and acceptor, has a beta(0) of 133 x 10(-30) electrostatic units. The design strategies demonstrated here have resulted in chromophores that when incorporated into poled-polymer electrooptic modulators exhibited significant enhancements in electrooptic coefficients relative to polymers containing the commonly used dye Disperse Red-1. Poled polymer devices based on these or related chromophores may ultimately lead to high-speed electrooptic switching elements with low drive-power requirements, suitable for telecommunications applications.

Relation Between Bond-Length Alternation and Second Electronic Hyperpolarizability of Conjugated Organic Molecules

The solvent dependence of the second hyperpolarizability, gamma, of a variety of unsaturated organic compounds has been measured by third harmonic generation at 1907 nanometers. It is seen that the measured gamma is a function of solvent polarity. These solvent-dependent hyperpolarizabilities are associated with changes in molecular geometry from a highly bond-length alternated, polyene-like structure for a formyl-substituted compound in non-polar solvents, to a cyanine-like structure, with little bond-length alternation, for a dicyanovinyl-substituted compound in polar solvents. By tuning bond-length alternation, gamma can be optimized in either a positive or negative sense for polymethine dyes of a given conjugation length.

Synthesis of Organic Salts with Large Second-Order Optical Nonlinearities

A series of organic salts, in which the cation has been designed to have a large molecular hyperpolarizability, has been prepared. Variation of the counterion (anion) in many cases leads to materials with large powder second harmonic generation efficiencies, the highest of which is roughly 1000 times that of a urea reference.

Demonstration of lipopolysaccharide on sheathed flagella of Vibrio cholerae O:1 by protein A-gold immunoelectron microscopy

Monoclonal antibodies with group and type specificity for lipopolysaccharide antigens were used in combination with protein A-colloidal gold labeling and transmission electron microscopy to demonstrate the presence of lipopolysaccharide antigens on both the sheathed flagellum and the cell surface of Inaba and Ogawa strains of Vibrio cholerae O:1. Labeling was associated with the sheath of the flagellum rather than the core, and flagellar cores were not labeled. Flagellum and cell shared a common set of lipopolysaccharide antigens characteristic of the strain serotype.

Structure of microsclerotia of Verticillium dahliae in roots of 'Russet Burbank' potatoes

Microsclerotia of Verticillium dahliae in potato (Solatium tuberosum) roots were examined, primarily with the transmission electron microscope. These resting structures were found in all tissues except the xylem, even though the tracheary elements of some microsclerotium-containing roots were infected. Microsclerotia were occasionally present within 9 days of inoculation, but they became more numerous with time. Usually, the microsclerotia consisted of a peripheral region composed of degenerate cells and cells with cytoplasmic contents of moderate electron density and an inner region of cells with very electron-dense cytoplasm. Melanin coated all cells but was more abundant over cytoplasm-containing cells. Roots containing large microsclerotia were moribund. Several living roots contained small microsclerotia, some of which produced penetration hyphae. Living host cells responded to attempted penetrations by producing lignitubers which ensheathed the penetration hyphae, as was previously described by the authors.

The study of differentiative potential of the lactating mouse mammary gland in organ culture

The organ culture of the mammary gland of lactating mice was used to examine the response of the differentiated gland to lactogenic stimuli, insulin, cortisol, and prolactin. Time course studies showed that casein synthesis in cultured tissue decreased rapidly during the first 2 d despite the presence of the three hormones, but on the 3rd d tissue cultured with either insulin and prolactin or all three hormones regained the ability to synthesize milk proteins, casein, and alpha-lactalbumin: a greater increase occurred in the three hormone system. The delayed addition of prolactin on Day 2 to the culture system containing insulin and cortisol also stimulated casein synthesis. The addition of cytarabine, which inhibited insulin-dependent cell proliferation in cultured explants, did not block the rebound of milk protein synthesis. These results indicate that in the presence of insulin, cortisol, and prolactin mammary epithelial cells in culture first lose and then regain the ability of synthesizing milk protein without requiring the formation of new daughter cells.

Histopathology of Verticillium dahliae within mature roots of Russet Burbank potatoes

Roots of Russet Burbank potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) inoculated with Verticillium dahliae Kleb. were examined, primarily with the electron microscope. Penetration hyphae entered epidermal cells directly, apparently aided by hydrolytic enzymes. In most instances, penetration took place without eliciting any structural response. Most hyphae failed to penetrate deeper than the epidermal layer, owing primarily to the formation by exodermal cells of lignitubers that ensheathed the penetration hyphae. Apparently lignitubers were sometimes initiated as callose-like appositions opposite encounter sites. All cortical layers were capable of lignituber production. Few hyphae were encountered within cells deeper than the second cortical layer, and intercellular colonization was not extensive. Nonetheless, vascular infection of unwounded roots occurred. Wilt symptoms were first noted 2 days after hyphae were found in vessel elements of the root. Walls and pit membranes of colonized tracheary elements were coated with an electron-dense substance. As the disease progressed, hyphae invaded all tissues in the vascular cylinder and eventually grew back out into the cortex. The soft-walled tissues were destroyed. In wounded roots many severed vessels contained membranous remnants, conidia, and hyphae that tended to be accumulated at the perforation plates.

The effect of colonization by Verticillium dahliae on the root tips of Russet Burbank potatoes

The structure and development of tissues in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) root tips colonized by Verticillium dahliae Kleb. were contrasted with those of uninoculated root tips. Within 2 days of inoculation hyphae had penetrated the root cap without eliciting any wall appositions in the root cap cells. Callose-like deposits were found along the walls of protodermal cells bordering the colonized cap cells. Overall, colonized root tips had lost their meristematic appearance owing to increased vacuolation in the cells. In contrast to the normal longitudinal course of primary vascular differentiation, in infected root tips the protoxylem matured in advance of the protophloem. Fifteen days after inoculation the root tips had lapsed into maturity. The endodermis and exodermis extended completely around what was once the apical meristem. Although the xylem had differentiated to within several cell layers of the colonized apex, xylem infection had not occurred in this region. Sieve elements in colonized root tips failed to develop sieve-plate pores.

The regulatory function of spermidine in hormonal control of the development of mouse mammary gland in culture

The interplay of insulin, glucocorticoid, and prolactin induces differentiation of mouse mammary gland in culture. Earlier studies indicated that spermidine plays a key role in hormonal control of mammary development by mediating some of the lactogenic actions of glucocorticoid. In this study we examined the effect of progesterone, an inhibitor of lactogenesis, on milk protein synthesis and spermidine accumulation. The maximal degree of inhibition, which was attained at 300 nM, was about 40% for casein synthesis, 90% for alpha-lactalbumin synthesis, and 70% for spermidine accumulation. The increase in the activity of S-adenosyl-L-methionine decarboxylase and spermidine synthetase, two key enzymes in polyamine biosynthesis, was inhibited by 55 and 65%, respectively, by progesterone. The extent of progesterone inhibition of milk protein synthesis was greatest in cultured tissue from virgin mice, which contained a low level of spermidine, whereas mammary explants from lactating mice, which contained a high level of spermidine, were insensitive to progesterone. The inhibitory effect of progesterone can be partially antagonized by cortisol, which causes an enhancement of spermidine accumulation. These results suggest that the synthesis and accumulation of spermidine serve as targets for the inhibitory action of progesterone on lactogenesis.

Comparison of psychophysical and evoked-potential tuning curves in the chinchilla

Frequency selectivity was examined in normal-hearing chinchillas using psychophysical and evoked-potential tuning curves. The acoustic conditions and masking procedures used for the evoked-potential and psychophysical studies were nearly identical. Frequency selectivities as measured by psychophysical and physiologic techniques were quite similar across different probe frequencies. The results suggest that the relatively efficient evoked-potential procedure may be substituted for the time-consuming psychophysical paradigm. Furthermore, the results are consistent with the view that tuning takes place primarily at the auditory periphery.

Putrescine and the regulation of S-adenosyl-L-methionine decarboxylase in cultured mouse mammary gland

The activity of S-adenosyl-L-methionine decarboxylase (S-adenosyl-L-methionine carboxy-lyase, EC 4.1.1.50) purified from mouse mammary gland can be stimulated by physiological concentrations of putrescine (Ka = 5 x 10(-7) M). In contrast, the elevation of the intracellular concentrations of putrescine in cultured mouse mammary tissue by exogenous addition of putrescine or by cultivation of the tissue in hypotonic medium results in the decrease in both the activity and the amount of the enzyme in tissue. Conversely, the addition of 1 mM alpha-methyl ornithine, an inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase, causes augmentation of the activity and the amount of S-adenosyl-L-methionine decarboxylase, despite its inhibitory action on insulin-stimulated increase in the concentration of putrescine. These data suggest that putrescine can act as a 'negative' regulator of the enzyme in this system.

Regulation of ornithine decarboxylase in cultured mouse mammary gland by the osmolarity in the cellular environment

The biphasic increase of ornithine decarboxylase activity in mouse mammary gland in organ culture occurs with a hormone-independent first peak and a hormone-dependent second peak. The data presented indicate that a change in the osmolarity of the cellular environment is the major contributing factor for the emergence of the hormone-independent ornithine decarboxylase activity in mammary explants. Thus, incubation of mammary explants for 3 h in a medium diluted 53% with distilled water results in approx. 1000-fold stimulation of enzyme activity over the initial level, whereas a similar dilution of the medium with 0.18 M NaCl or 0.3 M sucrose blocks the increase. The increase in enzyme activity is similarly affected by a reduction of the concentration of NaCl in the culture medium. The hypoosmotic stimulation of ornithine decarboxylase activity appears to be affected at a posttranscriptional level, and is enhanced further by the actions of insulin and prolactin. The hypoosmotic enhancement of ornithine decarboxylase activity produces a large increase in the intracellular concentration of putrescine in mammary explants. However, neither the concentration of spermidine and spermine nor the activity of S-adenosyl-L-methionine decarboxylase is affected. In addition, studies of putrescine transport in mammary explants show that hypotonicity causes an increase in the rate of influx and a decrease in efflux of putrescine with enhancement of intracellular putrescine accumulation. On the other hand, the uptake of spermidine, spermine, amino acids, sugar, and a lipophilic cation, triphenylmethylphosphonium is unaffected. These data suggest a possibility that osmotic alteration in cellular environment causes an incresed need for putrescine in mammary cells, resulting in stimulation of ornithine decarboxylase activity, which may represent a cellular mechanism for maintaining the homeostasis of the intracellular cationic environment.

Cyclic AMP as a negative regulator of hormonally induced lactogenesis in mouse mammary gland organ culture

In organ cultures of mammary glands from mice in midpregnancy, addition of both insulin and prolactin induces a marked accumulation of alpha-lactalbumin, whereas the augmentation of casein synthesis requires the presence of insulin, prolactin, and cortisol. Addition of 0.5 mM dibutyryl cyclic AMP resulted in complete inhibition of alpha-lactalbumin accumulation and partial inhibition of casein synthesis. Furthermore, either cholera toxin at 0.1-1.0 microgram/ml (a stimulator of adenylate cyclase) or 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (an inhibitor of phosphodiesterase) in combination with 2 mM cyclic AMP, produced a similar pattern of inhibition of alpha-lactalbumin and casein synthesis in cultured tissue. During culture of mammary explants in medium containing no hormone, or insulin alone, or insulin, prolactin, and cortisol, the tissue content of cyclic AMP decreased rapidly, reaching half the initial level in 24-48 hr. These results indicate that cyclic AMP plays "negative" regulatory function in hormonal induction of milk protein synthesis during the development of the mammary gland.

Studies on regulatory factors of ornithine decarboxylase activity during development of mouse mammary epithelium in vitro

The activity of ornithine decarboxylase increases markedly in a biphasic manner during the hormone-dependent development of mouse mammary epithelium in vitro. The first peak of activity occurring at 3 to 4 hours of culture was elicited by incubating mammary explants in a culture medium without any added hormones, although addition of insulin or prolactin, or both, caused a greater increase. The emergence of the second peak of activity at about 12 hours depended on the actions of both insulin and prolactin. A second increase in activity could also be effected postmitotically by the delayed addition of prolactin. Studies with actinomycin D and cycloheximide suggest that the first increase in enzyme activity may be effected at a post-transcriptional level, whereas a second increase may be at both transcriptional and translational levels. During the first 3 hours of incubation, there was a rapid, transient increase in cyclic AMP concentration in mammary epithelium. The presence of insulin or prolactin in culture did not affect the change in epithelial cyclic AMP concentration. Addition of several derivatives of cyclic AMP, 0.1 to 0.5 mM, as well as prostaglandin E1, a stimulator of adenylate cyclase, resulted in enhancement of the first increase in enzyme activity. The effect of cyclic nucleotide was additive to that of insulin and prolactin and appears to be mediated at a post-transcriptional level. The stimulatory effect of a lower concentration of both the cyclic nucleotide and prostaglandin E1 was augmented by theophylline, an inhibitor of phosphodiesterase. These results may suggest possible involvement of cyclic AMP in the first increase in enzyme activity that occurs in the absence of any added hormones.